Kedarnath Temple Kapat Opening Date 2026 - Kedarnath Important Dates, Aarti Timings Schedule

Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026

eUttaranchal/ Deepak

15 Feb 2026

The Kedarnath Temple opening date for 2026 has been officially announced on Mahashivratri.

Traditionally, the temple opens on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, which usually falls in late April or early May.

About	Details
Temple	Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Opening Date	22 April 2026, 08:00 am

About

Details

Temple

Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Opening Date

22 April 2026, 08:00 am

Kedarnath Temple Opening Date 2026 Latest Update

The Kedarnath Temple Kapat opening date for 2026 has been announced on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri.

Opening Date: 22 April 2026 at 08:00 am

The final opening date will be declared after the ceremonial announcement at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, where the winter seat of Lord Kedarnath is located.

Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath Kapat Opening Doli Yatra Program (Tentative)

Day 1: The Panchmukhi Doli of Kedarnath Ji will start its journey from Omkareshwar Temple of Ukhimath. It will reach Vishwanath Temple at Guptkashi and will have overnight stay there.
Day 2: The Kedarnath Doli will reach Phata from Guptkashi. It will stay overnight at Phata.
Day 3: The Kedarnath Doli will leave for Gaurikund from Phata. It will stay overnight at Gaurikund.
Day 4 The Doli journey will start from Gaurikund to reach Kedarnath Dham via Junglechatti, Bhimbali, Rambada, Lincholi, and Rudra Point.
Day 5 - Kedarnath Opening Day: The Kedarnath Temple Kapat will be opened for pilgrims in the early hours. The opening will take place amid vedic chants and rituals at 08:00 am.

Kedarnath Temple Gate Opening Ceremony.

Kedarnath Temple Daily Opening and Aarti Timings

Kedarnath Temple	Duration (Timings)
Morning Opening & Aarti Timing	04:00 AM – 07:00 AM
Morning General Darshan Time	07:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Temple Closed (Afternoon)	03:00 PM – 05:00 PM
Evening Aarti Timing	06:00 PM – 07:30 PM
Evening General Darshan Time	05:00 PM – 07:00 PM

Kedarnath Closing Date 2026 – Expected Timeline

Closing date Update: Kedarnath Temple was closed on 23 Oct 2025 for winters. The closing date of Kedarnath for 2026 will be updated later. The temple traditionally closes on Bhai Dooj, following the Diwali festival.

Expected Closing Period (Tentative):
Late October or early November 2026

After closure, the idol of Lord Kedarnath is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath for winter worship.

Why Kedarnath Temple Remains Closed in Winter

Kedarnath Temple is located at an altitude of 3,583 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas.

During winter months Kedarnath Temple is closed due to following reasons:

Heavy snowfall blocks roads and trekking routes
Temperatures drop below freezing
The area becomes inaccessible and unsafe
Hence, the temple remains closed for nearly 6 months every year.

FAQs – Kedarnath Opening & Closing Dates 2026

Q. Who decides the opening and closing dates of Kedarnath?
A. The dates are announced by the Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) after traditional rituals at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath.

Q. Is Kedarnath open throughout the year?
A. No. Kedarnath Temple remains open for about 6 months and stays closed during winter due to extreme weather and heavy snowfall.

Q. Can I visit Kedarnath before the official opening date?
A. No. Pilgrims are not allowed to visit or perform darshan before the official opening announcement.

Q. Is Kedarnath open during monsoon?
A. Yes, but travel during July and August is risky due to landslides and heavy rainfall. It is not recommended unless necessary.

Q. What happens to the idol after Kapat of Kedarnath Temple closes?
A. After closure, the idol of Lord Kedarnath is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, where worship continues during winter.